New York — THE sleepy, single eye of CBS flew wide open Wednesday, as the traditionally conservative network showcased a small but colorfully uncharacteristic slate of new shows for its fall prime-time line-up.
Known for its reliable stable of crime dramas that attract older audiences, CBS staked out new territory with five new series -- three dramas, a comedy and a reality program -- that delve into the world of a Cuban American godfather, a romantic vampire and a singing gangster. CBS is the most-watched network, but is second to Fox in the all-important 18-to-49 demographic, and it's actively seeking out younger viewers.
CBS also announced a midseason pickup: another dramatic series called "Swingtown," that may be its most daring. Set in the '70s suburbs, the show explores, among other things, open marriages. It will join the returning "New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Amazing Race" sometime during the season.
"I don't think a lot of people thought we would actually really first produce the pilots and then actually put them on the schedule," said Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment. "We wanted to stir things up and that's what we did."
Although it can boast the most total viewers, CBS has long felt cheated out of the buzz and hype of the fall's new programming, in part because their choices have been relatively safe. But with a strong schedule and few holes to fill, the network was emboldened to experiment.
In "Cane" (10 p.m. Tuesdays), Jimmy Smits returns to television in a drama about a Cuban American family in Miami that runs a successful rum and sugar business. The cast includes: Nestor Carbonell as Smits' womanizing, greedy brother, Hector Elizondo as the patriarch and newbie Paola Turbay from Colombia. Created by Cynthia Cidre ("The Mambo Kings"), the show will sometimes be subtitled, and will include reggaeton in its soundtrack.
"It has a little bit of 'Scarface,' which isn't bad," Tassler teased.
"Moonlight," from producer Joel Silver of "The Matrix" trilogy, is about a private investigator who is a vampire. It's also a love story of sorts: he was bitten by his bride 60 years ago. The lead is Alex O'Loughlin, and it will be on at 9 p.m. Fridays.
"Viva Laughlin" (8 p.m. Sundays) is a remake of the British success "Viva Blackpool," a mystery drama with music set in a casino in Laughlin, Nev. Ripley Holden (Lloyd Owen) is a family man just trying to make it but "he just might have a little Tony Soprano in him," Tassler said. "He's the classic underdog."
